Diabetes is a chronic disease that is characterized by metabolic disorders due to an absolute or relative insulin deficiency. The pancreas is the only organ, weighing 70 to 100 grams, located in the abdominal cavity in the arch of the duodenum. It plays a key role in the digestion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It also produces insulin, which regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates in the body. In the article we will talk about what diet should consist of in diabetes mellitus.
Types of diabetes
Doctors differentiate between different types of diabetes based on the cause and the course of the disease:
- Type I diabetes, dependent on insulin;
- Type II diabetes, which usually occurs later in life, especially in obese patients.
Type I diabetes is usually caused by damage to the pancreas. That is, primary damage to the beta cells (which produce insulin in the pancreas) and an absolute lack of insulin secretion.
The first signs of type I diabetes are intense thirst and hunger, unexplained weight loss, frequent urination, blurred vision, fatigue, and chronic infections. In some cases, onset is accompanied by convulsions, confusion, speech disorders, and loss of consciousness. Type I diabetes mellitus is considered an immunological disease.
Type II diabetes is more common in overweight people. The disease can be congenital or acquired and is characterized by a decrease in insulin secretion by the pancreas and insulin resistance. This means that even the right amount of insulin in the body cannot do the job.
The disease is accompanied by excessive thirst and profuse urination, and slowly increases blood sugar levels. The patient feels weak and sleepy. The disease often begins in middle-aged and elderly people. However, in recent years the number of young patients with type II diabetes has increased dramatically. And an alarming number of children and adolescents with the condition who are overweight and obese.
Hyperglycemia, what is it?
Hyperglycemia - the blood sugar level is above normal. Symptoms of hyperglycemia include excessive thirst, dry mouth, urinary frequency, weight loss, and excessive daytime sleepiness.
The most common cause of hyperglycemia is undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes. In people with diabetes, this situation can be due to insufficient insulin.
Hyperglycemia is less often the result of infectious and endocrine diseases (acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome). There is a high risk of late complications, especially in the cardiovascular system.
Chronic hyperglycemia is associated with dysfunction and malfunction of various organs - eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels.
Proper nutrition for diabetes
In diabetes prevention, nutrition is a very important part of therapy. It is necessary to maintain proper blood sugar and lipid levels and optimal blood pressure. A well-chosen diet will reduce the risk of developing complications from diabetes and minimize the risk of developing vascular disease. An appropriate diet for diabetes plays an important role in the prevention and management of chronic complications from diabetes. Including microvascular complications, retinopathy, nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, and others.
Eating diabetes mellitus is one of the main factors influencing the results of diabetes treatment.
Sugar is vital, but in this case it is better to remove the sugar bowl! In diabetes, the metabolism is mainly affected by carbohydrates. People diagnosed with diabetes should limit their sugar or carbohydrate intake.
Sugar:
- Monosaccharides - glucose and fructose are found in fruits and honey;
- Sucrose disaccharide is sugar from a sugar bowl;
- Polysaccharides - flour products, cakes, cookies and bread, potatoes, bananas, noodles, dumplings, noodles, pancakes and more.
Carbohydrates for diabetes
Carbohydrates are part of our diet. Their consumption should cover 55-60% of the total requirement. Much depends on the shape and structure of the carbohydrate origin. Carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract are digested and broken down into simple sugars - mainly glucose.
Please note that excess carbohydrates cause the beta cells in the pancreas to continuously stimulate to produce and secrete insulin.
When our sugar level rises, our pancreas secretes insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose to enter cells. Simple sugars like glucose are quickly transported into cells in about an hour.
Unfortunately, insulin is a hormone that lasts for several hours and does not like being "unemployed". Elevated insulin levels therefore cause blood sugar level fluctuations and carbohydrate hunger.
A hungry person opens the refrigerator and starts to eat to satisfy the feeling of hunger. The adrenal glands receive information: fluctuations in blood sugar. All of these responses are signals for the adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline. This creates a vicious cycle that leads to stress, depression, and autonomic neurosis (neurasthenia).
It is therefore advisable to reduce carbohydrate intake to a minimum. In such a situation there are no fluctuations in blood sugar levels and excessive production of the hormones insulin and adrenaline.
Glucose passes through the walls of the digestive tract and goes with the blood to various organs, where it is converted and becomes a source of energy. Without sufficient exercise, the energy requirement decreases, and glucose is stored as glycogen in muscles and liver.
In excess, glycogen is converted into fat, which leads to fatty liver and further accumulation of excess body fat. The metabolic process of glucose is controlled by insulin, a hormone that is produced in the pancreas.
Carbohydrates as the main energy material can only get into the cell with the help of insulin, which distributes simple sugars in the body. However, a lack of insulin, for example, leads to an increasing rise in blood sugar levels, followed by severe cell metabolism. A general lack of insulin leads to diabetes in children and adolescents - type I diabetes.
Protein in diabetes mellitus
Protein should cover 10-15% of the energy requirement. A larger amount is needed for children during the growing phase and for pregnant women. The most valuable animal protein is found in lean meat, cottage cheese, eggs, and sour milk.
Since our bodies can produce 56g of sugar per 100g of protein, it is also important to limit protein intake. In order not to harm the body, you need to eat high quality protein (egg yolks, meat by-products). Sources of vegetable protein are - soybeans, legumes, dark bread made from whole wheat flour.
Diet against diabetes mellitus do's and don'ts
In the diet for diabetes mellitus, foods such as egg yolks, butter, sour cream, milk and unsweetened vegetables should be present in the first phase of treatment.
During this time, you should significantly reduce or eliminate protein, lean meat, fish, poultry and nuts from your diet.
People with diabetes should not eat protein-rich meals or foods in the evening. The body cannot use it at night. Because the pancreas does not make enough insulin, blood sugar levels rise in the morning. In this case, a dinner consisting mainly of carbohydrates and fats is recommended.
Fats contain the most energy. They can only cover 30% of the daily energy consumption. In addition, they contribute to the development of obesity.
Spices such as cinnamon, garlic, cloves, turmeric and bay leaves lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Can diabetics eat fruits and vegetables? Yes, because they are rich in vitamins and minerals. Fresh vegetables, including broccoli, are ideal for diabetics as an excellent source of chromium. An onion that can release insulin. Potatoes on the skin (boiled potatoes raise blood sugar too quickly), asparagus, raw carrots, fresh cucumbers, sauerkraut, elder leaf and stem tea and garlic.
Vegetables that you can eat without any major restrictions:
- tomatoes;
- fresh and pickled cucumbers;
- raw and sauerkraut;
- chicory;
- kohlrabi;
- radish;
- paprika;
- Salad
- mushrooms;
- zucchini.
An excellent anti-diabetic - fresh blueberry leaves that are harvested before the fruit is ripe. Blueberries May Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy - Studies have shown significant improvements in eyesight in people suffering from eye diseases during diabetes. This disease leads to changes in the fundus, which significantly affect blood flow to the eye.
Diabetics who are overweight (BMI over 25) are advised to limit their calorie intake in order to save weight.
Food glycemic index
Blood sugar is not only influenced by the amount of carbohydrates, but also by their type. Therefore, it is necessary to control the amount and quality of carbohydrates in the diet, but it is also desirable to calculate the glycemic index of the product.
Low GI foods are slow to digest and absorb, do not raise blood sugar quickly, and do not stimulate insulin secretion. A low GI diet reduces the risk of developing insulin-dependent diabetes.
The higher the GI value of a food, the higher the blood sugar level after consuming this food. Foods with a high GI surge such as blood sugar. Slow absorption and gradual increases and decreases in blood sugar after consuming low GI foods help control blood sugar in diabetics. It's best to eat foods with a GI less than 60.
The GI of foods is significantly lower when they are consumed in their natural form, ie raw and unprocessed.
Diabetics are also advised to refrain from alcohol.